This year's top nominees for the 58th Grammy Awards, presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, include Kendrick Lamar (who received 11 nominations), megastar Taylor Swift (seven nominations), and Canadian crooner the Weeknd (seven). But somewhat bizarrely also included Elvis Presley for a record that he only recorded on acetate for himself.
Supporting Elvis' nomination are also current stars such as Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift who earned the trifecta of nominations with album, record, and song of the year categories.
Jack White bought Elvis' first acetate for $300,000 and the direct facsimile was released through his "Third Man Records" label. The 10-inch, 78rpm facsimile vinyl re-release of Elvis Presley’s “My Happiness” in the award honors the label's art directors Jack White and Nathanio Strimpopulos.
Follow That Update
The Follow That Dream collectors label announced that the 2 CD "Elvis’ Golden Records Volume 3" and "Elvis in Alabama" containing the September 06, 1976 afternoon and evening shows, will be out later this week. The Follow That Dream Records and Sony/RCA are not to happy with the earlier announced bootleg release "The Complete Frankie & Johnny Sessions".
The label also announced that future releases containing studio marterial will be released in the 7 inch format while live soundboard recordings will be released in the smaller 5 inch package.
Rejuvenated Package
Here is the definitive package for the Gravel Road Music import-release "Elvis - Rejuvenated and Rockin’" containing the December 14, 1975 Dinner Show performance as recorded at the Hilton Hotel Las Vegas, NV. Elvis Birthday Celebration
Music fans from around the world will travel to Elvis Presley’s Graceland in January 2016 to celebrate the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s birthday. Numerous events are scheduled, including the Elvis Presley Birthday Proclamation Ceremony on Friday, January 8 at 9:30 a.m. Central Time, which includes a cake cutting ceremony on the front lawn of Graceland in Memphis.
The birthday celebration at Graceland will also kick-off a year-long celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Elvis’ breakout year in music, film and television. In January 1956, Elvis’ first gold record, “Heartbreak Hotel” was released and by April had sold one million copies. He ended the year with two million-selling albums. He made his national television debut on The Dorsey Brothers’ Stage Show on CBS that same year and went on to appear on network television 11 times that year, including his legendary performances on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” He also starred in his first movie, “Love Me Tender,” and signed a seven-year film contract with Paramount Pictures.
Special guest speakers at the Graceland events include Glenn Derringer who, as an 11-year-old child-prodigy pianist appeared on the Dorsey Brothers Show with Elvis in March 1956. He’ll share his memories of the man the world would later know as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Also speaking will be June Juanico, who dated Elvis in 1955-1956.
The Auction at Graceland will kick-off the celebration on Thursday, January 7 at 7:00 p.m. Central Time in the Graceland Archives Studio. Among the 126 authenticated artifacts consigned for auction is the legendary guitar played by Elvis during the groundbreaking "Aloha from Hawaii" concert televised worldwide via satellite in 1973, and also played by Elvis at over 100 other live performances from 1971 through 1975. This Gibson Ebony Dove guitar, with an estimate of $300,000 to $500,000, has never been up for auction before and is one of the most culturally-significant and celebrated guitars in music history.
Other artifacts up for auction include a 1958 handwritten two-page letter Elvis wrote to his friend Alan Fortas while he was stationed in Germany, estimated between $30,000 - $50,000, and the gold-toned microphone & cord used on stage by Elvis at the International Hotel in 1969, estimated between $10,000 - $15,000. Every artifact is authenticated by Graceland Authenticated, LLC. Register to bid online at GracelandAuctions.com. All of the items in the auction will be offered from third-party collectors and none of the items will come from the treasured Graceland Archives. The mansion and all artifacts in the Graceland Archives continue to be owned by Lisa Marie Presley and are not for sale.
Graceland’s new Hollywood VIP exhibit, “Elvis in Hollywood: From Teen Idol to Leading Man,” will open on Thursday, January 7 and continue the 60th anniversary celebration by highlighting Elvis Presley’s time on the silver screen. The exhibit will feature artifacts from Hollywood blockbusters such as “Love Me Tender” (1956), “Loving You” (1957) and “Viva Las Vegas” (1964) to tell the story of how Elvis transitioned from groundbreaking music artist to Hollywood’s highest-paid actor. Additional artifacts include wardrobe, personal scripts (featuring his own handwritten notes), rare behind the scenes photos, and a variety of other Elvis movie memorabilia.
Other activities celebrating the birthday include the Memphis Symphony Orchestra with singer/musician/song writer Terry Mike Jeffrey and his band performing a Pops concert entitled “Love Me Tender: The Great Elvis Love Songs” on Saturday, January 9 at the Cannon Center in Memphis.
Auction highlights include:
- Elvis Presley Stage-Used Guitar from January 14, 1973 Aloha from Hawaii Concert - Given to Fan in the Front Row on July 24, 1975 in Asheville, North Carolina Estimate: $300,000 - 500,000
- Incredible 1958 Elvis Presley Handwritten 2-Page Letter to Alan Fortas "Hog Ears" Sent While in the Army Stationed in Germany. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000
- Complete Elvis Presley Concert Film from the Memorial Auditorium Show in Buffalo, NY - Shot by Elvis on Tour Director Robert Abel. Estimate: $25,000 - 35,0000
- "Elvis Has Left the Building" - Original KWKH Reel-to-Reel Recording of Elvis Presley's Last Song on the Louisiana Hayride - The First Time the Famous Phrase is Uttered by Horace Logan. Estimate: $10,000 - 15,000
- Gold, Diamond and Rock Crystal Quartz Ring Gifted by Elvis Presley to Linda Thompson. Estimate: $15,000 - 20,000
- Elvis Presley 14K "TCB" Necklace Gifted to Bodyguard Sam Thompson. Estimate: $12,000 - 15,000
- 1970s Elvis Presley "TCB" Nautic Neostyle Prescription Sunglasses: Estimate: $12,000 - 15,000
- Elvis Presley Complete Movie Poster Collection - Representing All 33 Films! (34 Total Posters) Estimate: $12,000 - 15,000
- Elvis Presley Gold-Toned Microphone and Cord Used on Stage in 1969 at the International Hotel. Estimate: $10,000 - 15,000
- Elvis Presley and Colonel Parker Signed Concert Contract for November 22-25, 1956, Ohio Shows. Estimate: $10,000 - 15,000
- Gold Baue & Mercier Watch Gifted by Elvis Presley to Imperials Member Armond Morales at International Hotel, 1969. Estimate: $10,000 - 15,000
- RCA Award Presented to Colonel Tom Parker for making Elvis Presley's 1956 "Hound Dog" a Million Seller. Estimate: $8,000 - 10,000
- 1966 Letter Agreement from Colonel Parker to Harry Jenkins of RCA Signed by Elvis Presley Regarding Flat $100,000 Promotion Payment for 1967 With Promotional Materials and Original Invoice. Estimate: $8,000 - 10,000
- Elvis Presley Double-Signed Army Press Memorandum, September 22, 1958 - The Day He Sailed for Germany. Estimate: $4,000 - 6,000
- 1965 Colonel Tom Parker Harem Holiday Robe Worn on the Set of Elvis Presley's Film "Harum Scarum." Estimate: $4,000 - 6,000
- Elvis Presley Personally Owned Leather Coat. Estimate: $3,000 - 5,000
- 1973 Gold Omega TC1 Digital Watch with Inscription Gifted to Charlie Hodge from Elvis Presley. Estimate: $4,000 - 6,000
- Elvis Presley Personally Owned and Worn Gray Guayabera Shirt. Estimate: $3,000 - 5,000